St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew attended the gathering consisting of youth across the nation, from the primary and secondary school levels. They all were engaged together in a unique forum that primarily sought to introduce them to the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA) of government, with the hope of shifting their thoughts to the concept of environmental sustainability.   

The gathering was conducted through a Pre-COP 29 Youth Forum hosted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action & Constituency Empowerment at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. 

Reportedly, the sessions were led by a panel of distinguished youth leaders from St. Kitts and Nevis. This welcomed the participation from leaders of Government which includes Deputy Prime Minister – Dr. Geoffrey Hanley; Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action & Constituency Empowerment – Dr. Joyelle Clarke and Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment – Isalean Phillip. 

Considering this, PM Drew shared the glimpses from the meeting and expressed that he had the opportunity to make a presentation at the Pre-COP 29 Youth Forum, which was hosted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action & Constituency Empowerment.  

Moreover, he was able to interact directly with young people from across the Federation. He expressed further that he was quite pleased and filled with hope by the positive and thoughtful contributions of the youth on the issue of climate change.  

PM Drew further encouraged them to let their voices be heard and to become staunch advocates. He also expressed that they all should fight for a sustainable island state, for now and for future generations. 

Minister Isalean Phillip told the attendees that the government is committed to the meaningful stakeholder engagement in policy development. 

According to her, it is really a part of what they mean when they talk about youth empowerment and young people being central to the development agenda, especially in the commitment to achieve a Sustainable Island State. 

Phillip commented on the challenge climate change poses, that it particularly affects the small island states such as St. Kitts and Nevis which indicates towards voices of young people that must resonate loudly. 

Notably, the COP 29 Summit is scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, 2024.